Gemstone setting including a gem faceted to display a plurality of images from an outer focal region

ABSTRACT

The present invention includes gemstone settings and methods of manufacturing gemstone settings including a primary gem capable of displaying a plurality of images corresponding to one or more objects placed within in a focal region outside of the primary gem. The plurality of images is displayed by flattening the bottom of the primary gem and faceting the crown to specifications that allow light to pass through the gem and not substantially reflect against a faceted pavilion.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invent relates to jewelry settings for gemstones and morespecifically to a gemstone setting including a primary gem faceted todisplay a plurality of images received from a focal region outside ofthe primary gem.

BACKGROUND

Gemstones are minerals obtained from the earth or in some casesdeveloped in the laboratory. The top of the gemstone is referred to asthe crown. The crown frequently has polished cut surfaces called facetsfor enhancing the reflective nature of the gemstone. Among these facetsare the table, star facets and bezel facets. The midline of a gem isreferred to as the girdle. The girdle may or may not be faceted. Thearea below the girdle is referred to as the pavilion. The facets aroundthe pavilion are commonly referred to as lower girdle facets andpavilion facets. The faceted pavilion causes light entering the gemstoneto reflect outward through the crown creating enhanced brilliance. Belowthe pavilion and at the bottom of the gemstone is the cutlet. The cutletis typically pointed such that the pavilion maximizes internalreflection of light.

Gemstone arrangements are often constructed to enhance the appearance ofprecious and semi-precious gems. Frequently these arrangements areconstructed to mask the quality of an inferior gem or to tint to the gemwith a desired color without altering the gem's chemical composition.One such technique includes mounting a secondary gem having a desiredcolor or reflective property in close proximity to the primary gem. Theeffect is a primary gem that appears to have a desired hue or anenhanced brilliance. Different specific techniques are explored in moredetail below.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,809,417 by Norman, Jr. (the '417 patent) discloses amethod of making a multiplet jewelry product with an internally embeddedvisual indicia. The methods include providing a transparent layer and agemstone, each having an interfacial surface, affixing visual indicia toone of the interfacial surfaces by applying a coating, and securing theinterfacial surfaces together. The indicia are viewed through thetransparent layer. In essence the '417 patent requires fusing an imagebetween two complementary surfaces.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,440 by Roemer (the '440 patent) discloses acomposite ring including a band, an outermost stone comprising a diamondand a innermost stone being a colored stone. The innermost stone isplaced beneath the diamond at a spacing of 0.1 mm to 2 mm. The color ofthe innermost stone is visible when viewing the diamond. Thus, theinnermost stone tints the diamond. While the innermost stone provides ageneral hue for the diamond, distinct images corresponding to theinnermost stone are not observed. In addition, while the diamond istinted, the diamond retains its faceted pavilion for internal reflectionof light and increased brilliance.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,868,008 by Yamaura et al (the '008 patent) discloses ajewelry ornament including a base with a hole formed in a centralportion thereof, a transparent or semi-transparent gem held by a prongmount and a colored back-up gem at least partially positioned in thehole. In essence, the '008 patent provides a setting for enhancing thegem's original color so it appears to have a higher color grade. Inaddition the gem retains the faceted pavilion commonly observed withgemstones for brilliance and sparkle.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,782,715 by Ruth (the '715 patent) discloses a primarygem including a brilliant cut diamond and a plurality of at least fourcomplementary gems including a brilliant cut diamond. The complementarygems are positioned to reflect light lost by the primary diamond. Inessence, the '715 patent discloses a gemstone setting where a set ofcomplementary diamonds return light that was not correctly reflected bythe diamond's faceted pavilion. Thus, the '715 patent discloses asetting to mask imperfections in the faceted pavilion and to enhance thebrilliance of the brilliant cut diamond.

In view of the above referenced U.S. patents, there remains a need todevelop a gemstone setting that displays a plurality of imagescorresponding to an object positioned in a focal region outside of thegem. The above inventions, some of which add a hue of color, focus lightwithin the gemstone using a faceted pavilion to obtain the brilliancecommonly associated with gemstone faceting.

SUMMARY

In contrast to current gemstone faceting techniques, the presentinvention does not seek to maximize brilliance by faceting the pavilion.Instead, the present invention utilizes a flat bottom and a facetedcrown cut to specifications that display a plurality of images. In thepreferred embodiment each facet displays an image generated from orcorresponding to a colored object positioned outside of the gem.Therefore, when viewing the gemstone settings of the present invention,a plurality of images will be viewed.

In one aspect of the present invention a gemstone setting is disclosed,including a substantially transparent primary gem including a flatbottom and a faceted top, the faceted top faceted to display a pluralityof images from a focal region outside of the primary gem and a coloredobject positioned within the focal region. In one embodiment the coloredobject is one or more secondary gems also referred to as a set ofsecondary gems. Thus, the primary gem displays a plurality of imagesthat mimic or correspond to distinct features of the colored object orthe secondary gems such as color, shape, partial shape and the like.Examples of gems that may be used with the present invention areprecious or semi-precious gems. As nonlimiting examples, the followinggems may be used with the present invention as a primary gem or as asecondary gem: an agate, an alexandrite, an amber, an ametrine, anamethyst, an aquamarine, an apatile, a beryl, a bloodstone, achrysoberyl or cat-eye, a citrine, a corundum, a chalcedony, achysocolla, a coral, a diamond, an emerald, a green beryl, a garnet, aquartz, a lolite, a jadcite, a kupzite, a lapis lazuli, a moonstone, amalachite, a moamite, an onyx, an opal, a pearl, a peridot, a redcorundum, a ruby, a sardonyx, a sapphire, a spessartime, a sphene, aspinel, a star ruby and sapphiren, a sunstone, a tanzanite, a tiger eye,a tourmaline, a topaz, a turquoise, a tsavorite, and a zircon.

In one embodiment the faceted top includes at least three facet angles.As a nonlimiting example, the second facet angle is above the first andthe third is above the second. The facets display a plurality of images,which may correspond to one or more different colors, one or moretypographical symbols, a picture or portion thereof. In some embodimentsthe plurality of images are projected outward from the faceted top tocreate an appearance that the plurality of images are floating in space.

The focal region of the primary gem is positioned outside, such as butnot limited to vertically beneath and horizontally about the center ofthe primary gem. The focal region may be less than half of the area ofthe primary gem, less than 25% of the area of the primary gem, less than10% of the area of the primary gem and the like.

In another aspect of the present invention a gemstone setting isdisclosed including a substantially transparent primary gem including aflat bottom and a faceted top. The majority or more preferably each ofthe facets of the facet top is faceted to receive an image from a singlefocal region positioned outside of the primary gem. The setting alsoincludes a colored object positioned in the single focal region suchthat a plurality of images corresponding to the colored object isdisplayed via the faceted top.

In another aspect of the present invention a gemstone setting isprovided, including a substantially non-reflective primary gem having afaceted top and a flat bottom, wherein the facets of the faceted top areoptically aligned such that an optical path vector from any two of thefacets intersect beneath the primary gem, and an object opticallyaligned with the primary gem such that the faceted top displays aplurality of images corresponding to the object.

In another aspect of the present invention a method of producing agemstone setting is provided including providing a substantiallytransparent primary gem and a set of colored secondary gems, the primarygem having a flat bottom; assigning a focal region beneath the primarygem for placement of the colored secondary gems; faceting the top of theprimary gem to receive an image within the focal region; and permanentlypositioning the primary gem above the secondary colored gems such thatthe colored secondary gems remain in the focal region.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a representation of a gemstone setting 10 including a primarygem 12 displaying a plurality of images corresponding to a coloredobject 14.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a gemstone setting 10 including a primarygem 12 displaying a plurality of images housed in a setting structure16. The primary gem 12 in FIG. 2A is displaying a plurality of imagesincluding the letter “C” and the primary gem 12 in FIG. 2B is displayinga plurality of images including the letters “CH”, or portions thereof.

FIG. 3 is a photograph depicting assembly of the gemstone setting 10.FIG. 3A is a top plan view showing a setting structure 16 having anaperture 18 for mounting to a desired jewelry item. FIG. 3B is a topplan view showing the step of positioning a colored object 14 having theletter “C” in the focal region. FIG. 3C is a perspective cutaway view ofFIG. 3B. FIG. 3D is a perspective cutaway view depicting a facetedprimary gem 12 positioned above the colored object 14. The flat bottom20 is also depicted. FIG. 3E is a side elevational view of an assembledgemstone setting 10. FIG. 3F is a top view of the gemstone setting 10depicting a plurality of images that correspond to the colored object 14placed in the focal region of the primary gem 12.

FIG. 4A is a top plan view of a faceted primary gem 12 showing multipleindividual facets 22. FIG. 4B is an elevational side view of the facetedprimary gem 12 shown in FIG. 4A showing a flat bottom 20, multiplefacets 22 and the general positioning of a colored object 14.

FIG. 5A is a top plan view of a faceted primary gem 12 displaying aplurality of images depicting the letter “C.” FIG. 5B is a sideelevational view of the primary gem 12 shown in FIG. 5A demonstratingthe plurality of images correspond to a single colored object 14positioned outside of the primary gem 12.

FIG. 6A is a top plan view of a faceted primary gem 12 displaying aplurality of images depicting the letters “CH.” Also shown in FIG. 6A isa colored object 14 including diagonal arrangement of the letters “CH”used to generate the plurality of images. FIG. 6B is a side elevationalview of the primary gem 12 (without showing the plurality of images) anda prospective view of the approximate positioning of the colored object14 including the diagonally aligned letters “CH.”

FIG. 7A is a photograph depicting a top plan view of the primary gem 12displaying a plurality of images that correspond to the letter “C.” FIG.7B is a photograph depicting a top plan view of the primary gem 12displaying a plurality of images that correspond to the letters “CH” orportions thereof.

FIG. 8A is a top plan view of a colored object 14 having a picture ofMickey Mouse printed thereon. FIG. 8B is a top plan view of a primarygem 12 displaying a plurality of images corresponding to the coloredobject 14 shown in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a primary gem 12 displaying a plurality ofimages A, B, C and D and the layout of the corresponding colored objects14 depicting the letters “A, B, C and D” diagonally arranged.

FIG. 10 is a series of photographs of top plan views of a facetedprimary gem 12 demonstrating the displayed plurality of images may shiftor change depending on the viewer's orientation to the primary gem 12.The colored objects 14 placed within the focal region include fourgeometrically shaped colored objects: yellow 14 y, red 14 r, blue 14 band green 14 g, the layout of which is also depicted next to the facetedprimary gem 12. FIG. 10A depicts the faceted gem 12 displaying each ofthe four colored objects 14. FIG. 10B is the faceted gem shown in FIG.10A rotated counterclockwise such that the majority of facets display ayellow image corresponding to the yellow object 14 y. FIG. 10C is thefaceted gem shown in FIG. 10B further rotated such that the majority offacets display a blue image corresponding to the blue colored object 14b. FIG. 10D is the faceted gem 12 shown in FIG. 10C further rotated suchthat the majority of facets display a green image corresponding to thegreen colored object 14 g. FIG. 10E is the faceted gem shown in FIG. 10Dfurther rotated such that the majority of the facets display an redimage corresponding to the red colored object 14 r.

FIG. 11 is a nonlimiting table of gems that may be used with the presentinvention. Also provided is the general composition and the refractiveindex.

FIG. 12 is an image depicting three facets on a primary gem. Each of thethree facets have different angles (θ₁, θ₂, θ₃) and a focal regiondepicted as E.

FIG. 13 is an image depicting methods of determining the desired facetangle using trigonometry.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not beconstrued as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, theseembodiments are provided as guidance for one skilled in the art to whichthe present invention belongs.

I. Definitions:

The term “substantially transparent” as used herein refers to a propertyof a gem that permits an image or a colored image to be viewed orprojected through the gem. A substantially transparent gem is notopaque.

The term “plurality of images” as used herein refers to the display ofmore than one distinct or identifiable image or color. In contrast to atinted gem that colors the entire facet, a plurality of images allow theviewing of distinct images which may include an observable border orcharacteristic not commonly associated with tinting. In the preferredembodiment each facet displays an image corresponding to the coloredobject, or portion thereof, placed within the focal region. Theplurality of images may include multiple copies of the same image, orportions thereof, or may include images of different colored objects.The colored object, which is be projected or viewed through the facets,is provided in a focal region outside of the primary gem.

The term “focal region” as used herein refers to the three dimensionalregion outside of the primary gem where colored objects (e.g. indicia,typographical symbols, secondary gems) are placed for forming aplurality of images viewable when viewing the primary gem.

The term “optical path vector” as used herein refers to the path orvector in which a light ray would pass through space and the primarygem. The optical path vectors of the present invention are not reflectedinternally by faceted pavilions, but traverse the gem according to thegem's refraction index, faceted crown or top and flat bottom.

II. Gemstone Settings that Display a Plurality of Images

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the gemstone settings 10 of the presentinvention include a primary gem 12 faceted to display a plurality ofimages. The plurality of images are distinct or identifiable images thatcorrespond to one or more colored objects 14 or portions thereof, whichare positioned within a focal region outside of the primary gem 12. Theappearance may include defined boundaries or spacing between objects 14.The primary gem 12 and colored objects 14 are held in place byattachment to a structural casting or setting structure 16, which canthen be attached to any conventional jewelry item such as but notlimited to a ring, a pendant, a pin, a necklace, a bracelet and thelike. Attachment may be further stabilized by providing an aperture 18for desired alignment or attachment. The colored object 14 is placedvertically beneath the primary gem 12 at a distance that allows thefacets 22 to focus on one or more particular areas of the object 14,thus displaying a plurality of images.

In conventional gemstone settings, the gem has a faceted crown or topand a faceted pavilion. This configuration is designed to reflectincoming light against the facet pavilion and to direct the lightoutwards through the crown. The term “critical angle” is known to thoseskilled in the jewelry arts to be the angle in which there will be totalinternal reflection. In fact, studies indicate the maximum brilliance ofa gem is obtained when a step cut crown is used in combination with abrilliant cut pavilion.

Now referring to FIGS. 4-10, the present invention utilizes a primarygem 12 with a faceted top also referred to herein as a facet gem 12 andsubstitutes a faceted pavilion with a flat bottom 20. The substitutionof a flat bottom 20 prevents substantial internal reflection within theprimary gem 12. Thus, by eliminating or reducing the facets on apavilion, the flat bottom 20 permits light rays to be directed throughthe gemstone 12. As can also be seen by FIGS. 4-10, each facet 22 maydisplay a singe image corresponding to a single object 14 or display animage corresponding to multiple objects 14. Moreover the one or more ofthe plurality of images may appear to shift, vanish or appear whenviewing the primary gem 12 at variable angles. One or more of theplurality of images may appear to float above the gem 12 such as animage projected outside and generally above the gem 12.

As will now be envisioned by one skilled in the jewelry arts, theprimary gem 12 can be any gem that is substantially transparent suchthat an image may be projected or visually observed when viewing theprimary gem 12. Non-limiting examples of gems that may be used with thepresent invention include, but are not limited to an agate, analexandrite, an amber, an ametrine, an amethyst, an aquamarine, anapatile, a beryl, a bloodstone, a chrysoberyl or cat-eye, a citrine, acorundum, a chalcedony, a chysocolla, a coral, a diamond, an emerald, agreen beryl, a garnet, a quartz, a lolite, a jadcite, a kupzite, a lapislazuli, a moonstone, a malachite, a moamite, an onyx, an opal, aperidot, a red corundum, a ruby, a sardonyx, a sapphire, a spessartime,a sphene, a spinel, a star ruby and sapphiren, a sunstone, a tanzanite,a tiger eye, a tourmaline, a topaz, a turquoise, a tsavorite, and azircon. The desired gem may vary between individuals and may be affectedin part by the refraction index of the particular gem. A table of gems,their general composition and their refractive index are provided asFIG. 11, each of which is incorporated as part of the present invention.

The top or crown of the primary gem 12 is faceted to display a pluralityof images corresponding to an object 14 positioned within the focalregion. The focal region is the region in which the object(s) 14 arepositioned such that they can be displayed by the primary gem 12. Asshown in FIG. 12 and labeled “E”, the focal region generally correspondsto the region at which the optical paths of light waves travelingthrough the gem 12 intersect or nearly intersect. The focal region isoutside of the primary gem 12. Although nonlimiting, the distancebetween the focal region and the flat bottom 20 of the faceted gem 12may be from about 0.001 cm to about 10 cm, from about 1 cm to about 9cm, from about 2 cm to about 8 cm, about 5 cm and the like. Theparticular distance may vary depending on the needs of the user, thesize of the gem and the refractive index of the gem 12.

In various nonlimiting embodiments, the colored object 14 placed in thefocal region is a typographical symbol such as a letter, multipleletters, a corporate symbol or logo, a picture and the like. In someembodiments the colored object 14 is a colored geometric shape such asbut not limited to a circle, a sphere, a cylinder, a square, a cube, atriangle, a pyramid, a polygon and the like. In other embodiments theobject 14 placed in the focal region includes one or more gems, such ascolored gems. In some embodiments, a chipped gem or less desired gemfragments are used as the colored gem(s). Examples of colored gems areany gems known in the jewelry arts or cited in jewelry publications andmay be the same or different than the primary gem 12. The colored gem orcolored object 14 may be an imitation gem such as a colored stone orcolored molded plastic. In other embodiments, objects may be substratescolored with one or more inks.

The angle of the facet surface is determined based on the gem media, orthe refractive index of the gem 12, the desired display and the desiredfocal region. Thus, optical path vectors may be used to determine theappropriate facet angle. Once determined, the facet 22 is cut andpolished according to techniques well known in the jewelry arts. Jewelryfaceting machines are commercially available through a variety ofsuppliers. Thus a variety of facets 22 may be cut depending on thedesired positioning of the focal region and the refractive index of theprimary gem 12.

III. Methods of Manufacturing the Gemstone Setting

The gemstone setting 10 of the present invention is formed by providinga substantially transparent primary gem 12, assigning a focal regionoutside of the primary gem 12, positioning a colored object(s) 14 to beprojected or viewed as a plurality of images within the focal region,cutting the bottom of the primary gem 12 flat, faceting the top of theprimary gem 12 such that the majority or preferably each facet 22displays an image corresponding the colored object 14 or portionthereof, and positioning the primary gem 12 such that a plurality ofimages may be viewed when viewing the gem 12. The methods describedherein may be practiced by one skilled in the jewelry arts.

As can now be envisioned by one skilled in the art to which the presentinvention belongs, any substantially transparent gem may be used withthe present invention as a primary gem 12. Gems may be obtained from anysuitable source such as found in nature or purchased from a seller. Thegems may require tumbling and polishing to obtain the substantiallytransparent form.

A focal region is determined such that the majority or preferably, eachof the facets 22, will display an image corresponding to an object 14placed within the focal region. The focal region may vary depending onthe size or chemical composition of the gem 12. As general guidance thefocal region is vertically below the primary gem 12 and may include ahorizontal area or vertical area of about 75%, 50%, 25%, 10%, 5%, or 1%of the area of the gem's flat bottom 20. The distance of the focalregion from the flat bottom 20 may vary but includes from about 0.001 cmto about 10 cm, from about 1 cm to about 9 cm, from about 2 cm to about8 cm, about 5 cm and the like.

The plurality of images includes a projected or reflected image thatcorresponds to the colored object(s) 14 positioned within the focalregion. Thus, the colored object 14 may be any object that results in adesired plurality of images and should not be colorless. In someembodiments the object 14 is one or more gems. Each facet 22 may displayan image corresponding to all gems, fewer than all gems, a portion ofone or more gems, spacing between the gems and the like. The object 14may fixed in position by permanently attaching the object 14 to astructural casting or setting structure 16. In some embodiments theobject 14 is retained by prongs positioned within the structural casting16. In other embodiments, the object is fused or soldered directly tothe structural setting 16 itself. In other embodiments, the object isglued or adhered to a set of prongs or the structural setting 16. Instill other embodiments the object(s) 14 is interchangeable allowingmultiple objects 14 to be selectively inserted or removed according tothe individual's desires. When multiple objects 14 are positioned withinthe focal area, a variety of alignment configurations may result in avariety of displayed images.

The bottom of the primary gem 12 is cut flat to prevent or reducereflection of light within the gem 12. In the preferred embodiment thereis not a faceted pavilion. However in some embodiments a facetedpavilion is also provided. Tools and methods of cutting gemstones toproduce a variety of surface features are well known in the jewelryarts. A variety of suppliers provide tumbling, cabbing, faceting andcarving tools, which may be used to produce the gemstone settings 10 ofthe present invention.

The top or crown of the primary gemstone 12 is faceted to display aplurality of images corresponding to the colored object 14 positionedwithin the focal region. The faceting takes into account the particularmedia that is being faceted (or gemstone composition) in the form of itsrefractive index and the positioning of the focal region. The refractiveindex of a particular gem 12 may be researched in publications ordetermined using a refractometer. A table is provided as FIG. 11 forguidance, and is included as part of the present invention.

Refraction is the change in direction of a wave, such as a light wavedue to a change in its speed. This is most commonly seen when a wavepasses from one medium to another. In the present invention a light wavepasses from air to the primary gemstone 12. Snell's law is a formulaused to describe the relationship between the angles of incidence andrefraction when referring to light waves passing through a boundarybetween two different isotropic media, such as air and the gemstone 12.In essence, the law says that the ratio of the sines of the angles ofincidence and of refraction is a constant that depends on the media.More specifically, the ratio of the sines of the angles of incidence andrefraction is equal to the ratio of velocities in the two media, orequivalently to the inverse ratio of the indices of refraction:

$\begin{matrix}{\frac{\sin \; \theta_{1}}{\sin \; \theta_{2}} = {\frac{\upsilon_{1}}{\upsilon_{2}} = \frac{n_{2}}{n_{1}}}} & \left( {{Equation}\mspace{20mu} 1} \right) \\{{n_{1}\sin \; \theta_{1}} = {n_{2}\sin \; \theta_{2}}} & \left( {{Equation}\mspace{20mu} 2} \right)\end{matrix}$

Thus, when determining the angle of each facet 22, the optical pathvector is considered. The optical path vectors are paths in which raysof light will pass through air and the primary gem 12. The optical pathvector depends on the refractive index of the primary gem 12 andtherefore may be used to determine the appropriate facet angle.

The top of the primary gem 12 is faceted to display a plurality ofimages. The plurality of images includes projections or viewed imagesthat correspond to an object 14 positioned beneath the primary gem 12within a defined focal region such that the facet 22 may focus on theobject, or portion thereof. Each facet angle may be calculated and cutsuch that each facet 22 focuses on the object(s) 14 placed in the focalregion. In embodiments where there are more than one object 14 placed inthe focal region, each facet 22 may focus on at least one of a singleobject 14, more than one object 14, spacing around or spacing in betweenthe objects 14. The primary gem 12 may be facetted such that the rightportion of the faceted top focuses on a left portion of the focal regionand the left portion focusing on a right portion of the focal region.

The primary gemstone 12 is secured to the structural casting or settingstructure 16 after securing the colored object 14. The primary gemstone12 is positioned above the colored object 14. The primary gemstone 12may be secured using any technique known in the jewelry arts such aspositioning within a set of prongs, gluing the gem 12 with jeweler'sadhesive and the like.

EXAMPLES

The examples provided herein are for illustration of the instantinvention and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosedinvention. It will be understood that various omissions, modifications,substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the gemstonesetting described herein and in its operation can be made by thoseskilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of thepresent invention.

Example 1 Faceting a Gemstone to Display a Plurality of Images

The following example demonstrates the faceting of a gemstone to displaya plurality of images. The example uses the refraction index associatedwith a diamond. Referring to FIG. 12, the gem is to be faceted such thatthree facets focus on a focal region E. Other gems may be substitutedusing their corresponding refraction index.

Referring to FIG. 13, light comes out of the gem from point A. We definethe position of A by measuring distance from A to center, AF=x, from Ato the bottom line, AB=y. and angle of triangle is θ, we calculate DE=dassume we know x, y and θ. Using sin θ=n sin α we obtain

α=sin⁻¹(sin θ/n)   (Equation 3)

β=θ−α  (Equation 4)

γ=sin⁻¹(n sin β)   (Equation 5)

s=x−y tan(β)   (Equation 6)

d=s/tan(γ)   (Equation 7)

Now referring to FIG.12, AB, BC, CD are three facets tilted at differentangles. BB′=2/3*AA′, CC′=1/3*AA′. Now calculate the angle θ₁,θ₂,θ₃ sothe light comes out vertically from the edge of the three facets, i.e.,point A, B and C.

index n 2.417 2.417 2.417 point A B C D x 5 3.333333 1.666667 y 00.897407 1.547212 1.886299 theta 28.3 21.3 11.5 alpha 11.31176 8.643744.731458 beta 16.98824 12.65626 6.768542 gamma 44.92559 31.9762716.55076 s 5 3.131814 1.483034 d 5.01301 5.016576 4.990407

The gem used is a diamond. Referring to the table provided as FIG. 11,the refractive index n is 2.417. Assume AA′=5 cm, so x of A is X_(A)=5,y of A is y_(A)=0 since it's on the bottom line. Then try differentnumber for θ₁ so the d will be close to 5 cm if one wants to put theobject 5 cm below the stone. We found 28.3 for θ₁ in the above table.Since BB′=2/3*AA′ we found x of B is x_(B)=3.33333, y of B isy_(B)=y_(A)+5/3×tan(θ₁)=0.897407. Put them in the second column of thetable corresponding to x, y. Then try theta to have d close to 5. Wefound 21.3 degrees for θ₂. Since CC′=1/3*AA′, then x of C isx_(C)=1.66666, y of C is y_(C)=y_(B)+5/3×tan(θ₂)=1.547212. And try thetato find d=5. We found 6.95 degrees for θ₃.

One skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs would beable to adapt the examples, methods and compositions provided above forother gems, and are herein incorporated by reference.

1. A gemstone setting comprising: a) a substantially transparent primarygem comprising a flat bottom and a faceted top, said faceted top facetedto display a plurality of images from a focal region outside of saidprimary gem; and b) a colored object positioned in said focal region,wherein said colored object does not contact said primary gem: whereinsaid plurality of images comprises multiple images of each coloredobject or portion thereof.
 2. The gemstone according to claim 1, whereinsaid primary gem is selected from the group consisting of an agate, analexandrite, an amber, an ametrine, an amethyst, an aquamarine, anapatile, a beryl, a bloodstone, a chrysoberyl or cat-eye, a citrine, acorundum, a chalcedony, a chysocolla, a coral, a diamond, an emerald, agreen beryl, a garnet, a quartz, a lolite, ajadcite, a kupzite, a lapislazuli, a moonstone, a malachite, a moamite, an onyx, an opal, aperidot, a red corundum, a ruby, a sardonyx, a sapphire, a spessartime,a sphene, a spinel, a star ruby and sapphiren, a sunstone, a tanzanite,a tiger eye, a tourmaline, a topaz, a turquoise, a tsavorite, and azircon.
 3. The gemstone setting according to claim 1, wherein saidfaceted top comprises at least three facet angles, wherein the second isabove the first and the third is above the second, wherein each of thefirst, second or third faceted angles are equal around the perimeter ofsaid primary gem.
 4. The gemstone setting according to claim 1, whereinsaid plurality of images correspond to one or more colored geometricshapes or portions thereof.
 5. The gemstone setting according to claim1, wherein said plurality of images comprise at least a portion of atypographical symbol.
 6. The gemstone setting according to claim 1,wherein said plurality of images project outward from said facet top tocreate an appearance that said plurality of images are floating inspace.
 7. The gemstone setting according to claim 1, wherein said focalregion is positioned vertically beneath and horizontally about thecenter of said primary gem.
 8. The gemstone setting according to claim1, wherein said focal region is less than half of the area of said flatbottom of said primary gem.
 9. The gemstone setting according to claim8, wherein said focal region is less than 25% of the area of said flatbottom of said primary gem.
 10. The gemstone setting according to claim9, wherein said focal region is less than 10% of the area of said flatbottom of said primary gem.
 11. The gemstone setting according to claim1, wherein said colored object is a secondary gem or set of secondarygems selected from the group consisting of an agate, an alexandrite, anamber, an ametrine, an amethyst, an aquamarine, an apatile, a beryl, abloodstone, a chrysoberyl or cat-eye, a citrine, a corundum, achalcedony, a chysocolla, a coral, a diamond, an emerald, a green beryl,a garnet, a quartz, a lolite, ajadcite, a kupzite, a lapis lazuli, amoonstone, a malachite, a moamite, an onyx, an opal, a pearl, a peridot,a red corundum, a ruby, a sardonyx, a sapphire, a spessartime, a sphene,a spinel, a star ruby and sapphiren, a sunstone, a tanzanite, a tigereye, a tourmaline, a topaz, a turquoise, a tsavorite, and a zircon. 12.The gemstone setting according to claim 1, wherein said colored objectis a substrate with a photograph printed thereon.
 13. A gemstone settingcomprising: a) a substantially transparent primary gem comprising a flatbottom and a faceted top comprising multiple individual facets, whereinsaid faceted top displays a plurality of images from a focal regionpositioned outside of said primary gem; and b) at least four coloredobjects positioned along a plane and in said focal region such that whenviewed in at least two orientations the majority of facets of said facettop display only one of said at least four colored objects, wherein saidat least two orientations include downward towards the top of saidprimary gem and are selected from at least two of the group consistingof: i) a first orientation, wherein the majority of facets display thefirst of said at least four colored objects: ii) a second orientationrotated counterclockwise from said first orientation, wherein themajority of facets display the second of said at least four coloredobjects: iii) a third orientation rotated counterclockwise from saidsecond orientation, wherein the majority of facets display the third ofsaid at least four colored objects: and iv) a fourth orientation rotatedcounterclockwise from said third orientation, wherein the majority offacets display the fourth of said at least four colored objects: whereinsaid at least four colored objects do not contact said primary gem. 14.A gemstone setting comprising: a) a substantially transparent primarygem having a faceted top and a flat bottom, wherein the facets of saidfaceted top are optically aligned such that an optical path vector fromany two of said facets intersect beneath said primary gem; and b) acolored object positioned beneath said primary gem in optical alignmentwith said optical path vector, wherein said colored object does notcontact said primary gem: wherein multiple copies of each colored objector portion thereof is displayed.
 15. A method of producing a gemstonesetting comprising: a) providing a substantially transparent primary gemand a set of colored secondary gems, said primary gem having a flatbottom; b) assigning a focal region beneath said primary gem forplacement of said set of colored secondary gems; c) faceting the top ofsaid primary gem to display a plurality of images corresponding to saidfocal region; and d) permanently positioning said set of coloredsecondary gems in said focal region and said primary gem above said setof colored secondary gems, wherein said set of colored secondary gems donot physically contact said primary gem; wherein said plurality ofimages comprises multiple images of each of said colored secondary gems.16. The gemstone setting according to claim 1, wherein said plurality offacets comprises multiple individual facets, further wherein saidcolored object comprises at least two colored objects, further whereinrotation in viewer orientation results in a shift in color of saidplurality of images.
 17. The gemstone setting according to claim 1,wherein said plurality of facets comprises multiple individual facets,further wherein each individual facet displays an image corresponding toat least a portion of said colored object.
 18. The gemstone settingaccording to claim 13, wherein said at least two orientations compriseat least four orientations and each of said at least four coloredobjects is a different color.